Noftbis peters co



Patented Sept. l3, I898.

3 Sheets$heet I.

a HQ No. 6l0,736.

C. G. DIETEBICH.

HANDLE BAR FOR BEGYGLES.

(Application filed Apr. 7, 1897.)

(No Model.)

Fatenied Sept. l3, I898.

C. G. DIETERICH. HANDLE BAR FOR- BICYG'LESL (Application filed. Apr. 7,, 1897;)

3 Shets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

I I H I m n l I TNE SSE S x ATTOHN J.

m: NORRIS Pawns co. PHOTO-UTHKL, WASHINGTON, n. c,

No. 6I0,736.

v Patented Sept. l3, I898. c. a. DIETEBICH. HANDLE BAR FOR BIGYGLES.

(Application filed Apr. 7, 1897.)

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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UNlTFD STATES CHARLES G. DIETERICH, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

HANDLE-BAR FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,736, dated September 13, 1898.

Application filed April 7, 1897- (I/ZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, CHARLES G. DIETERIOH,

a citizen of the German Empire, residing at NewYork, (Brooklyn,) in the county of Kings and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Handle-Bars for Bicycles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the handle-bars of bicycles and of other velocipedes by which there is obtained a possibility of adjusting the handle-bar readily in all directions without the use of a wrench, the object being to produce a handlebar which can with ease be raised or lowered for ordinary riding or for scorching, this change being produced so that the well-known upwardly-curved handle-bar is obtained or the downturned handle-bar is obtained at will 3 and a furtherobject is to enable the handle-bars to be raised into vertical position or lowered in the opposite direction and to permit the handle-bars to be adjusted and raised into vertical position in the plane of the machine, so that the same can be conveniently placed against a wall or other support without interference by the handle-bar.

To these ends the invention consists of certain features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and then particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved handlebar, showing the same turned down into racing position. Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the same handle-bar respec- Lively in an intermediate step of adjustment previous to placing the handle-bar into the normal riding position in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the handle bar raised into vertical position, the dotted lines showing the same moved through an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of handle-bar, in which my i1nprove1nent is shown as applied to a wooden handle-bar. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the handle-bar thrown upwardly in the plane of the machine, so that the same can be supported against walls without interference by the handle-bar. Fig. 7 is a broken detail front view of the handle-bar enlarged, showing the handle ends Serial No. 631,103. on model.)

of the bar in longitudinal section. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail longitudinal sectional views of the respective handle ends of the bar. Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View of the central portion of the handle-bar, showing the main features of the invention. Fig. 11 is a transverse section on the line 11 11, Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a transverse section on the line 12 12, Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a detail side elevation of the locking slide-piece. Figs. 14 and 15 are views of the stationary guideblock for the slide-piece looking, respectively toward the side and top. Fig. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fixed cam-sleeve. Fig. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotatable cam-collar. Fig. 18 is a transverse section of the screw-nut which is applied to the rotatable cam-collar. Fig. 19 is a transverse section on the line 19 19 of Fig. 10; and Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail longitudinal sectional view showing the joint between. the wooden handles of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 and the end tubes applied to the central casing.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 7 to 19, inclusive, A indicates asocketpiece which is inserted into the hollow spindle of the frontfork, (not shown,) said socketpiece being tubular and receiving a rotatable post B, which carries at its upper end the tubular casing O. The post B is fastened adjustably within the socket-piece A in a manner to be hereinafter fully described.

The handle-bar D is provided at each end with the handles D D said handles being of the construction shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9. Each handle is constructed of a tubular sleeve d, preferably of sheet metal, having at each end annular flanges d, which flare toward the central portion of the sleeve d, so that the grip d flwhich is made of cork or any other suitable material, can be held in position on the sleeve by means of the inwardly-turned flanges. At the outer end of each ofthe handles D D is fixed in any suitablemanner an externallyscrewthreaded plug 01 which screws into the internally screw threaded outer end of the handle-bar D. By this means both of the handles are thereby rendered removable. In practice, however, only one of the same is intended to be removable,

that one being the handle D and said handle is rendered removable in order that when it is removed the mechanism whereby the handle-baris adapted to be moved up or down, so that the handle-bar can be placed in position for ordinary riding or for scorching, can be manipulated- The handle-bar D is rotatable on its axis within the head-casing O, and in order that it may not be longitudinally displaced it is provided with shoulders d d against the former of which is set an externally-screw-threaded and flanged nut e,which is screwed into one end of the casing O,while against the other shoulder d is set a fixed sleeve E, which, at its inner end, is externally screw-threaded,so that it can be screwed into the other and screw-threaded end of the casing C.

The annular stop-flanges 6 6 formed, respectively, on the fixed sleeve E and the screw-nut e, abut against the ends of the casing 0, and thus stop the same when they have been sufficiently screwed into the ends of the casing. This casing C will be particularly referred to hereinafter. The central portion of the handle-bar D is cut out or recessed at f, within the casing C, so that the edges of the tubular handle at f may be engaged by abutments f formed on a central guideblock F, which is arranged within the recessed portion of the handle and which is thereby fixed in the handle-bar against relative rotation, but in such a manner as that when the handle-bar is rotated said guide-block will rotate therewith. To further secure the proper interlocking connection of the guide-block F with the tubular handle-bar, the latter is provided, opposite its recess f, with a socket f into which a stud f on the guide-block F projects. Diametrically opposite the stud f on the guide-block the same is provided with a central inclined circular guide-opening F, that, however, only opens out through one end of the guide-block, the other end of the same being closed by an abutment F and in this central guide-opening F is guided a slidepiece G, which is provided with a lateral extension G, that is guided in a radial slot F extending from the central guide-opening F through the outer side of the guide-block. This guide extension G, together with the diametrically opposite spline ,which is guided in a corresponding groove in the guide-block, prevents axial movement of the slide-piece G within the guide-block F, but permits said slide-piece to move longitudinally thereto.

Extending radially from the outer edge of the lateral extension G on the slide-piece is a pair of longitudinal teeth g, which are adapted to interlock with an annular series of teeth g, formed on the interior of the inclosing casing C. By the interlocking of the teeth 9 with the teeth 9 the axial turning of the handle-bar D is prevented. The teeth g are in practice made of such size and dimensions as to always fit snugly against the side walls of the teeth g, so as to prevent wabbling; but they are preferably made of such height as that they do not touch the bottoms of the grooves between the teeth, so that without endangering a snug fit a certain degree of wear is permitted, this Wear being taken up by the upward and longitudinal shifting of the slide-piece caused by the returningspring thereof. To obtain a release of the slide-piece F from the casing with which it is interlocked, the handle D is used.

The mechanism for shifting the slide-piece is as follows:

A sliding rod H is guided through openings in the guide-block F and the slide-piece Gand is provided at one end with a screw-thread which receives a nut h. This nut h confines upon the rod H a flanged sleeve H, theinner end of which extends into a guide-hole 9 formed in the slide-piece G, while around this sleeve is coiled a helical actuating-spring i, which at its inner end abuts against a washer W, that bears against the guide-block F and the other end of which abuts against a stopfiange h on the outer end of the said sleeve. Connected with the slide-rod H is a chain or actuating-cord J, which extends through one- 7c is a pivot-pin which is centrally swiveled I within the screw-threaded plug (1 of the handle D (see Figs. 7 and 9,) so that it can turn on its axis, but so that it cannot shift longitudinally, and with an eye 70, formed on said pin, the outer end of the chain or connectingcord is connected. By thus connecting the chain or cord J with the handle D said chain is prevented from being twisted when unscrewing the handle from the handle-bar before pulling on the chain.

In order to release the handle D from the handle-bar, it is only necessary to impart thereto a few turns, and when the same is disengaged the pulling-chain J can then be pulled. On pulling upon the chain J the rod H is also pulled in the same direction, compressing the spring t', which is coiled around said rod, until the inner end of the sleeve H abuts against the bottom of the guide-hole g in the slide-piece G. Until the said sleeve thus abuts no motion is imparted to the slidepiece G, and in this manner the easy and not too-sudden actuation of the slide-piece is obtained, for were the chain directly connected with the slide-piece the action would be too sudden and the parts would be jarred. WVhen the sleeve H abuts against the slide-piece G, the same is pulled in the direction of the operating-chain J, against the action of the returning-spring L, which is coiled around the rod H, and abuts, respectively, against the slide-piece G and the abutment F on the guide-block F.

By reason of the incline of the guide-opening F in the guide-block F and of the correspondingly-inclined slide-piece G the latter is a the pulling of the chain J caused to move in an inclined or slanting direction away from the inclosing casing 0, whereby the teeth g of the slide-piece G are disengaged from the teeth g of the casing. The slide-piece being thus released from the casing, the handlebar D can be rotated on its axis and the teeth of the slide-piece caused to engage other teeth 9 after the operator has released his hold on the handle D WVhen the actuating mechanism is released, the spring L throws the slidepiece G into normal position, so as to interlock with the casing, while immediately thereafter the spring 1' returns the rod H and chain J to normal position, so that no injurious shock is imparted to the mechanism, inasmuch as the two returning-springs with separate functions are provided. Supposing the handle-bar is in the racing position, (shown in Fig. 1,) said handle-bar can, by shifting the parts as described, be raised into normal riding position. This position is not shown, as it is an evident one. The bicyclist either has the choice of operating said mechanism from the removable handle D or by means of the following devices: Referring to Figs. 16, 17, and 18 particularly and in connect-ion therewith to Figs. and 12, M indicates a rotatable collar which is formed on its inner wall with an inclined or cam surface m, and said collar will be therefore designated a cam-collar. This collar M is placed upon the handle-bar D so as to rotate thereon and so that its cam-face 122 matches with a corresponding cam-face m, formed on the outer end of the fixed sleeve E, heretofore referred to, and which sleeve will be hereinafter designated the cam-sleeve. Onto a reduced screw-threaded portion m of the rotatable cam-collar M is screwed a screw-nut N, which is provided with an inner annular flange N, the diameter of the opening in which conforms to the diameter of the handle-bar, so that said nut will fit snugly onto the handle-bar. The cam-collar M and the nut N could be considered as one part; but they are not so in fact, inasmuch as for facilitating the assembling of the parts they are made separate. Into an internal annular groove N formed between the said parts M and N, extends a projection O, that is formed on the outer end of the connecting-link O, the inner end of which is pivoted, by means of the pivot 0 to the actuating-rod II. To reduce the friction, there is applied to the end of the projection 0 an antifriction-roller 0 which runs in said internal groove N. The connecting-link O can be moved in the direction of its length by means of the rotatable cam-collar M and the nut N; but in order to permit the same a longitudinal slot D must be formed in one side of the handle-bar D, through which slot the proj ection O on said link passes. To release the slide-piece G from its engagement with the casing O, the cam-collar M is turned so that its cam-face m will ride upon the cam-face m of the fixed cam-sleeve E, whereby the cam collar M is displaced longitudinally in relation to the cam-sleeve E and the connectinglink 0 thereby drawn outwardly. The annular groove N permits a complete rotation of the cam-collar M, if desired, without disconnecting the said part M from the link 0. The described cam devices are preferably used in connection with the wooden handle-bar shown in Fig. 5, inasmuch as the wooden portions of said bar cannot have any bores, which would weaken such parts. In the wooden handle-bar shown the handles do not have any effect on the adjusting devices.

In Fig. 20 the preferred connection of the shanks P of the handle-bar with the metallic tubular portions P of the same is shown.

P is a ferrule which is provided with an internal screw thread, so that it can be screwed onto the end of the wooden shank P, and through said ferrule and the shank P are passed the rivets P on which is formed a screw-thread which receives an internallyscrew-threaded collar P whereby the rivets are hid from view and a finish imparted to the handle-bar. The end of the ferrule P beyond said collar P is inserted into the open end of the tubular central portion P of the han-.

dle and connected therewith in any suitable manner, as by means of a solder.

In order to adjust the handle-bar into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the followin g construction is employed, reference being particularly had to Figs. 10 and 19.

The post B, extending from the casing C of the handle-bar, is arranged to rotate within the socket-piece A, and in order that the same may not be longitudinally displaced or may be rotated as desired therein a disk I), which is of a diameter to overlap the lower end of the socket-piece A, is employed, said disk being secured to the lower end of the post B by means of a clamping-screw Z). The

post B can be rotated and held within the,

socket-piece A in four positions, each corresponding with a quarter of a revolution of the said post, so that thereby a quartering adjustment of the handlebar is obtained. To this end the upper portion of the post is provided with four conical sockets 1", which are arranged at equal distances apart around the shank and with which sockets a corresponding conically-formed locking-pin R is adapted to engage. This locking-pin R is provided with a stem R, which carries at its outer end a cap-shaped thumb-nut head R adapted to be guided onto the end of the boxing Q, whereby the locking-pin may be rotated and released from any socket with which it engages. A spring (1, coiled around the stem R and engaging at one end with the locking-pin R and at the other end with the outer end of a boxing Q, acts upon said locking-pin, so as to throw the same inwardly toward the sockets. This spring normally holds the locking-pin in a screw-threaded opening q, formed in the inner end of the boxing Q, with which opening any one of the sockets r can register. In its normal position the locking-pin R extends through said opening q and its extreme end projects partially into one of the sockets r, so that said socket is held in register with said opening q.

To rotate the post B within the socket-piece A, the tension of the spring g must be first overcome by pulling upon the winged head R so that thelooking-pin is disengaged from said shank. The latter is then rotated a quarter or half way round, as desired, whereupon the spring returns the locking-pin into engagement with the corresponding socket.

To firmly bind the post B within the socketpiece A and to rigidly set the handle-bar in its adjusted position, the winged head R is rotated and an external screwthread (1 formed on the locking-pin, caused to engage with the screw-threaded opening q, so that said locking-pin is screwed inwardly and is caused to fully enter and bind firmly against the wall of the registering socket a".

The last adjustment described is important when the handle-bar is to be adjusted from the downcurved or racing position shown in Fig. 1 to the upcurved or easy-riding position shown in Fig. 3. To adjust from one to the other position, the handle-bar D is r0- tated on its axis 3 and by means of the adjusting mechanism within the same locked into the position shown in Fig. 2. The post B is now rotated half-way around and there locked in adjusted position, so that the handle-bar assumes the upcurved and upwardlyextending position, as shown in Fig. 3. By means of the described adjustment for the handle-bar the same can be adjusted into the various positions shown in the drawings and into other positions which may be found useful or desirable.

It is evident that by means of the described construction the different adjustments can ,be applied to all sorts of handle-bars, whether the same be tubular or solid.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination, with an internallytoot-hed casing or bearing at the upper end of the post of the handle-bar, ofthe handle-bar, a recessed guide-block arranged in the bandle-bar, a slide-piece guided in the guideblock and provided with a radial extension for engaging with the toothed casing, said slide-piece being guided in an inclined opening in the guide-block, areturning-spring acting on the slide-piece, an actuating-rod for the slide-piece, a cushioning-spring for said rod, and a chain or the like connected with the rod and provided with suitable operating means, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with an internallytoothed casing or hearing at the upper end of the post of the handle-bar, of thehandle-bar passing through said casing, a recessed guideblock connected with the handle-bar, and arranged within the casing, a slide-piece having a radial extension and guided in the inclined opening of the guide-block, a returning-spring acting on said slide-piece, an actuating-rod for the slide-piece, said rod being movable relatively to the slide-piece, a sleeve arranged upon the said rod and guided in a guide-hole of the slide-piece,a spring abutting at one end against the guide-block and at the other end against said sleeve, and means for pulling on said actuating-rod, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the casing arranged at theupper end of the post of the handle-bar of the bicycle, of the longitudinally-slotted handle-bar passing through said oasin g, mechanism for adjusting said handlebar on its axis relatively to said casing, said mechanism being contained within the casing and handle-bar, a cam-faced sleeve fixed to the casing, a rotatable cam-faced collar arranged on the handle and cooperating with said cam-faced sleeve, and a link extending through the slot of the handle-bar and connecting the collar with the adjusting mechanism so as to actuate the latter, substantially as set forth.

t. The combination, with the handle-bar provided with a post having radial sockets, of a supporting socket-piece in which said post is swiveled, said socket-piece having a screw-threaded opening at one side, a boxing extending laterally from the socket-piece and arranged over said opening, an externallyscrew-threaded locking-pin adapted to screw into said screw-threaded opening and to enter one of the sockets of the post, a helical spring arranged within the said boxing and acting upon said locking-pin and a cap-shaped head on the locking-pin provided with wings, said cap being guided on the end of the boxing, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES G. DIETERIOH.

Witnesses:

PAUL GoEPEL, GEO. W. JAEKEL. 

